How to flash a flash drive? Restoring the USB drive. Instructions for recovering flash drives Smi mptool does not see a flash drive
First of all, it is necessary to mention in what cases it is required flash drive controller firmware. The list of such malfunctions is not very long, just below I made a list of the most common situations when such a technique can help in repairing a flash drive. But, you should not take the technique described here as a panacea for all "diseases". Each case is individual, but the general technique is similar, with the exception of some points that are associated with different controllers, memory chips and a different combination of faults. You can also read others on the blog.
When to apply the flash drive controller firmware technique:
- Zero volume of the flash drive, not the correct volume (2\4\8\16 Kb\Mb) instead of the normal size;
- The drive is not detected on different PCs;
- When connecting a disk, an "insert disk" error appears;
- Error "Disk not found in device";
- Error "The disk is write-protected";
- There are read / write errors, and there is no way to copy or write data to a USB flash drive. It may be that data is being written, but not opened from a flash drive;
- When connected to a PC, the flash drive is detected for a long time with errors Error "Code 10", Error "Code 43" and the like.
Maybe I didn't mention everything here. If someone has additions - write your case in the comments, and I will try to promptly make adjustments to the materials.
We proceed to the preparatory work on the flash drive for its further flashing (the controller itself is being flashed). We will assume that we have decided that there are no other options, except for flash drive controller firmware we don’t have any left and this is the last chance to repair a precious flash drive (the road is like a memory, a large volume, a beautiful case, etc.)
Flash drive controller firmware (stages of work):
1) Determining the flash drive controller
Here we have only 2 options for determining the manufacturer and model of the controller. The first option is the most banal - to open the case (if it is constructively possible). To do this, you need to open the case of the flash drive and get the drive board from there. For the most part, all USB flash drives are the same internally, with the exception of monolithic flash drives. For example, I took a photo general view flash drive and controller boards (for example, a photo of a flash drive from free sources).
The visual method is very simple and the most accurate, since programs for determining pid&vid devices are not always accurate. If it is not possible to visually look at the controller or there are difficulties in disassembling the case, then we have a direct path to programs to determine pid and vid flash drives.
Important: in cases where the flash drive is not detected on the PC, the controller can only be recognized by visual inspection.
Identification of the controller by PID and VID
2) Selecting a utility for the controller
The next step is to search for a specialized utility for flashing a flash drive controller. We already have the VID and PID values, so we can start looking for a utility for the controller. To find the right utility, I use the service http://flashboot.ru/iflash/.
After pressing the search button, it offers us far from one result. The thing is that such a controller, as in my case, is used in flash drives different manufacturers and with different size. When searching, pay attention to the UTILS (utility) field, where you need to look for exactly the result where the name of the utility is displayed. You can ignore the volume of the flash drive - this is not a critical parameter. You can also search for a utility by the name of the controller, which to a greater extent can speed up the search for the desired utility.
P.S. practice shows that sometimes it's worth a try different versions utilities for the same controllers.
The search result gave us one more or less suitable option (highlighted in red in the screenshot) - utility SMI SM3257AA.
To squeak the utility, you can use the same site http://flashboot.ru/files/. In the search bar you need to enter the name of our utility - SMI SM3257AA. As a result, 2 results were found. You need to download both, since there is a chance that one of them will only help solve our problem.
But, there is one but. We know for sure that the exact name of our controller is slightly different from what we found. On the controller body and program USB Flash Info showed that the correct name of the controller SM3257ENAA, not SM3257AA. To clear our conscience, let's check the utility database for the presence of a utility for such a modification. Search dropped 2 utility options.
It is likely that the utilities I found while searching for both SM3257AA and ENAA have the same core. In practice, it may turn out that they are no different, but still there is a possibility that you will need to try all 4 found specials. utilities. I recommend downloading all 4 programs at once.
I downloaded all 4 pieces, but decided to start with the utility SMI SM3257ENAA MPTool V2.03.58 v8 K1129 (11/11/29 Build). I’ll get ahead of myself - I managed to reflash the flash drive controller with this utility, and I didn’t check the others.
And now I will briefly describe the procedure for how the process of flashing the SM3257ENAA controller took place.
- Unpacked the archive and launched the sm32Xtest_V58-8 shortcut
We launch the utility and see that our patient flash drive is not visible in it (see screenshot).
- To determine our flash drive in the program, press the button " Scan USB (F5)”, as a result of which the program “sees” the usb device.
To start the process of flashing the controller of the flash drive, you need to press the Start buttons in the utility menu (before pressing, you need to select the desired flash drive). After pressing the button, the firmware process will begin.
After the firmware operation is completed, in the upper right corner we will see the word OK on a green background (see screenshot).
This completes the firmware flash drive controller firmware process. Within 10-20 seconds, our flash drive will appear in My Computer clean and without any files, since during the firmware process, a low-level formatting of the drive occurs.
For all questions regarding this article, write in the comments.
Portable USB-Flash drives have firmly entered our lives. They help us in work, study and leisure. But, probably, everyone was faced with the fact that one day the flash drive stops working as it should or is not detected by the computer at all. Many in this situation will prefer to send a broken flash drive to the trash and buy a new one in return. Fortunately, the prices for flash drives are now quite low. But do not rush to commit this rash act, as you can try to bring the flash drive back to life.
Today we will consider the issue of restoring the performance of a flash drive using the example of Transcend JetFlash 300 8Gb, which “hangs” while writing data and after extraction was not detected as a drive.
When the flash drive was connected to the PC, it blinked a diode with a smooth decay, as if telling us: “Ooops! There is a problem". The following picture was observed in the device manager:
In the properties of the device, it was clear that the flash drive was detected, VID and PID correspond to the model, but it was not displayed as a disk and was absent in the disk manager.
Any flash drive has a controller (control chip) and one or more memory chips inside. Due to failures, power problems or other reasons, the controller may be blocked, and in memory, like hard drives, "bad" sectors may appear.
In the event of a software failure, which occurs in our case, the flash drive resuscitation algorithm is as follows:
- We determine the manufacturer of the controller.
- We find the manufacturer's service utility.
- We put the controller into test mode, if required.
- We are restoring.
Considering the fact that the warranty for our Transcend JetFlash 300 8Gb has been out for a long time, we will not hesitate and analyze it:
Carefully pry the edge of the sticker from the side of the cover with a knife, lift it up. Under the sticker we see the latch tooth:
We press something thin on the latch tooth and pull the connector forward. You can use a thin screwdriver inserted between the housing and the colored plug:
The body separates quite easily:
And here we have a completely disassembled Transcend JetFlash 300 8 Gb flash drive in our hands:
Let's see what kind of controller chip? — SM3255Q AB.
On the reverse side we find a memory chip - Samsung K9BCG08U1A-MCB0
We have decided on the initial data. Now we begin the search for a utility from the wonderful site flashboot.ru
We have a chip from SMI, which means we are looking for a service utility that can work with the SM3255AB controller. Through trial and error, the utility was found - SMI MPTool V2.03.20 v2 J0324. Please note that there are a lot of versions of this utility, but only this version (v2 with J0324 at the end) saw our flash drive.
At first, no utility wanted to detect a USB flash drive. In specialized forums, in such cases, it is recommended to transfer the controller to test mode, in which the memory chip is not polled during the initialization of the flash drive (details on flashboot.ru). Then install the factory driver (complete with the utility).
To put the controller into test mode, you need to close two of its legs. But not any, but special! But, unfortunately, it is not always possible to find a datasheet (documentation) for the controller, and there is a high probability of shorting the wrong legs and completely burning the control chip. Therefore, they usually go the other way, namely, they look for a datasheet on a memory chip, and close the legs on it. The data bus of the memory chip and the controller is usually connected directly.
If we have a datasheet for our microcircuit, then in the circuit we look for pins signed as F0D0, F0D1, etc., this is the data bus. We close them in pairs with a thin screwdriver or tweezers before connecting a USB flash drive (it is convenient to use a USB extension cable), and try to determine in the utility (F5). for microchip samsung memory K9BCG08U1A-MCB0 the desired legs were 19-20. The legs are counted from the key (a point in the corner of the microcircuit) in the direction of the legs counterclockwise / clockwise, depending on the case. In our case, the outputs are arranged clockwise.
In our case, the flash drive was detected by the system, so the factory driver was installed without the need to put the controller into test mode. The driver is located in the folder with the utility, along the path ..\UFD_MP\FactoryDriver\WinXP\SMIInfUpdate.exe
Although the driver itself is designed for XP, it was successfully installed on 7-ke.
Here we enter the VID and PID of our flash drive and press the SMI Factory Driver button, after which the driver installation will complete. We reconnect the flash drive to the PC. Now in Device Manager it should look like this:
Step by step instructions for restoration USB flash drives in which I will try in plain language answer the question How to recover a flash drive independently and without much effort.
It happens that you help a person, and then he will tell everyone that you are so good and there are already crowds of people who are thirsty for help. Something like this happened when I restored several flash drives colleagues.
Now the people carry not only their flash drives, but also flash drives their friends, acquaintances and relatives. Well, at least someone else dragged a bottle of beer or a cookie - figurines.
It's not difficult for me to help, but when I suggest that you learn how to do all this yourself, you refuse. I'll just make those next time. If you don't want to learn, move on.
With the lyrics, I end here and go directly to the topic of the post ..
If your flash drive stopped determined like a drive, doesn't want to be formatted, does not allow information to be written down or something else happened to her, BUT she does not have mechanical damage know that not all is lost. Most likely glitched controller and it will take a little fiddling with it. In time, this procedure takes approximately 5 minutes.
I must say right away that there is no universal programs for recovery all varieties flash drives. You will need to find exactly the one that can work with the controller of your flash drives.
First, we need to define VID and PID non-working flash drives.
Determine VID and PID for flash drive recovery
Plug in flash drive to the computer and run Device Manager. Start – Run - mmc devmgmt.msc.
Then go to section USB Universal Serial Bus Controllers.
Find yours in the list flash drive. Usually, everything flash drives have a name USB mass storage device.
Press the right key on the device and open Properties.
Go to tab Intelligence.
In the drop-down list, select the item Instance code device or Equipment codes (ID).
In this window we see PID and VID.
Finding a flash drive recovery program
We go to the FlashBoot.ru website and enter the received VID and PID.
Click on the button Search.
In the results, we are looking for our manufacturer and model of the flash drive. I have it Kingston DataTraveler 2.0.
In the right column there will be the name of the program we need or a link to it.
All. Now search in Google program by name or download from the link provided. Launch and follow the instructions. Usually, in such programs for recovery there is only one button, so you should not have any questions.
That's all!
Any questions - ask in the comments.
A variety of problems with USB drives or flash drives is something that, probably, every owner of them faces. The computer does not see the flash drive, files are not deleted or written, Windows writes that the disk is write-protected, the amount of memory is displayed incorrectly - this is not a complete list of such problems. Perhaps, if the computer simply does not detect the drive, this guide will also help you: (3 ways to solve the problem). If the flash drive is detected and working, but you need to recover files from it, I recommend that you first read the material.
If different ways to fix mistakes USB drive by manipulating drivers, actions in Windows Disk Management, or using command line(diskpart, format, etc.) did not lead to a positive result, you can try utilities and programs for repairing flash drives provided by both manufacturers, for example, Kingston, Silicon power and Transcend, as well as third-party developers.
On the official website of Silicon Power in the "Support" section, a program for repairing USB flash drives of this manufacturer is presented - USB flash drive recovery. You will need to enter an address to download. Email(not tested), then the UFD_Recover_Tool ZIP archive is loaded, which contains the SP Recovery Utility (requires the .NET Framework 3.5 components to work, will be loaded automatically if necessary).
Similar to the previous program, SP Flash Drive Recovery requires an Internet connection to work and recovery takes place in several stages - determining the parameters of the USB drive, downloading and unpacking the appropriate utility for it, then - automatic execution necessary actions.
Download Silicon Power SP Flash Drive Repair Software Recovery Software can be free from the official website http://www.silicon-power.com/web/download-USBrecovery
If you are the owner of a Kingston DataTraveler HyperX 3.0 drive, then on the official website of Kingston you can find a repair utility for this line of flash drives, which will help you format the drive and bring it to the state it had when it was purchased.
You can download Kingston Format Utility for free from https://www.kingston.com/ru/support/technical/downloads/111247
ADATA USB Flash Drive Online Recovery
The manufacturer Adata also has its own utility that will help you fix flash drive errors if you cannot read the contents of the flash drive, Windows reports that the disk is not formatted, or you see other errors associated with the drive. To download the program, you will need to enter serial number flash drives (so that exactly what is required is loaded) as in the screenshot below.
After downloading - run the downloaded utility and run a few simple steps to restore the operation of the USB device.
The official page where you can download ADATA USB Flash Drive Online Recovery and read about using the program - http://www.adata.com/ru/ss/usbdiy/
Apacer Repair Utility, Apacer Flash Drive Repair Tool
Several programs are available for Apacer flash drives at once - different versions of Apacer Repair Utility (which, however, cannot be found on the official website), as well as Apacer Flash Drive Repair Tool available for download at official pages some of the Apacer flash drives (search the official website for your specific USB drive model and check out the downloads section at the bottom of the page).
Apparently, the program performs one of two actions - simple formatting of the drive (Format item) or low-level formatting (Restore item).
Formatter Silicon Power
Formatter Silicon Power is a free low-level formatting utility for flash drives, which, according to reviews (including in the comments to the current article), works for many other drives (but use it at your own peril and risk), allowing you to restore their performance when no other methods do not help.
The utility is no longer available on the official SP website, so you will have to use Google to download it (I do not give links to unofficial locations within this site) and do not forget to check the downloaded file, for example, on VirusTotal before running it.
SD Memory Card Formatter for repairing and formatting SD, SDHC and SDXC memory cards (including Micro SD)
The Association of SD Memory Card Companies offers its own universal utility to format the respective memory cards in case of problems with them. At the same time, judging by available information, it is compatible with almost all such drives.
The program itself is available in versions for Windows (there is support for Windows 10) and MacOS and is quite easy to use (but you will need a card reader).
You can download SD Memory Card Formatter from the official website https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter/
D-Soft Flash Doctor
The free program D-Soft Flash Doctor is not tied to any particular manufacturer and, judging by the reviews, can help fix problems with a flash drive through low-level formatting.
In addition, the program allows you to create an image of a flash drive for subsequent work no longer on a physical drive (to avoid further malfunctions) - this can be useful if you need to get data from a Flash drive. Unfortunately, the official website of the utility could not be found, but it is available on many resources with free programs.
How to find a program to repair a flash drive
Actually this kind free utilities there are much more to repair flash drives than listed here: I tried to take into account only relatively “universal” tools for USB drives from different manufacturers.
It is possible that none of the above utilities are suitable for restoring the health of your USB drive. In this case, you can use the following steps to find the right program.
Additionally: if all the described ways to repair a USB drive did not help, try.
Hi all! It was not for nothing that I undertook to write an article on how to flash a flash drive - I have experience. Yesterday I restored my flash drive Kingston DT Elite 3.0 16GB. Everything worked out, and I thought, why not write a similar instruction, and tell what and how to do in order to give the flash drive a new life :).
Now, probably in every house there is a flash drive and very rarely one. It is convenient to transfer information to them, they are beautiful and, moreover, recently they are not expensive. But very often USB drives fail. If we talk about why this happens, then we ourselves are in the first place. Do you always safely eject a flash drive? So I rarely. Of course, there may be other reasons why flash drives simply “die”.
One point needs to be clarified here. It happens that the flash drive really “dies”. In this case, it cannot be restored. At least at home. But if a USB drive, when connected to a computer, shows at least some signs of life, then you can try to restore its operation with the controller firmware.
What are the signs of USB drive life?
- When you connect a flash drive to a computer, the computer gives a signal about connecting the device - it's already good.
- At Windows connection ask to format removable storage (but there are problems and errors during the formatting process such as “Windows cannot complete formatting”).
- The flash drive is detected and visible in the explorer, but when you try to open it, the message “Insert disk ...” appears
- Errors occur when copying information.
- Very slow write/read speed.
If there is valuable information on the flash drive, then you can try to restore it before and after the firmware. You can do this with different programs. I advise Recuva, here is an article, but there are many other, good programs.
If the information is very valuable, then it is better not to do anything on your own so as not to make things worse. Contact special service centres who are involved in data recovery.
Let's now look at the whole controller firmware process using a real example, using my Kingston DataTraveler Elite 3.0 16GB flash drive as an example. I have this flash drive broke generally interesting. I had to upload files to it and delete those that had already been recorded. I connected it to the computer, began to delete the folder. But the Folder was deleted very slowly. I disconnected and reconnected this flash drive, an inscription appeared that the disk must be formatted “Before using the disk ...”.
Since the flash drive was not important files, I started formatting without hesitation.
But the process itself lasted a very long time and never ended, I forcibly stopped it. The message “Windows could not complete formatting” may also appear.
But still, I formatted it, since the tenth time and only in FAT 32. After that, the USB drive was normally defined and I was even delighted. But it was not there. I started copying files to it, and the recording speed was about 100 kb / s. I decided to flash it, which I did.
Determine the VID and PID of the USB controller
To start we need determine VID and PID. This is data about the model and manufacturer of the controller, which is in our drive. Based on this data, we will look for a firmware utility. There are many different programs, with which you can determine the VID and PID. I recommend the utility Flash Drive Information Extractor you can download from the link.
Connect the flash drive to the computer and run Flash program Drive Information Extractor (extract the folder with the program from the archive and run the GetFlashInfo.exe file).
Click the button at the top of the program “Get flash drive data”.
The program will give us the result. We look at the information that is opposite the VID and PID.
You can copy these numbers, or leave the utility window open, we will need the data now.
We are looking for a utility for flashing a flash drive
According to the VID and PID data, we need to find a utility with which we will flash the controller. There is a good site flashboot.ru, which contains a database of flash drives and utilities for their recovery.
In the search results, we are looking for a flash drive similar to ours. The list may include devices from other manufacturers. They just have the same controller, it was determined by VID and PID. You may have noticed that I have a 16 GB flash drive, and in the list I have allocated 32 GB. I don't think there's anything wrong with that (just where the name of the utility is not indicated on 16 GB). You try to choose a more similar device from the list.
We are interested in the field UTILS(utility), copy its name, completely.
Unfortunately, the utility I needed was not found on this site. Perhaps you will be more lucky and you will see something in the search results. Download the utility to your computer.
But I did not stop there and started to google. I just asked “SK6221 MPTool 2013-04-25” and found this utility on some other site. If you have the same flash drive, then this utility is. True, the name of the archive is different, but this did not stop me from successfully curing my flash drive.
USB drive recovery process
Turn off your flash drive. Extract the utility folder from the archive and run .exe file. In my case, this is the MPTool.exe file. See also text file readme.txt. Perhaps there is an instruction, or a link to a site with instructions. If the instruction is in English, then translate it using the same translate.google.ru.
I'll tell you how I did (it’s just that you may have a different utility and everything may be different there, but it should not be very different).
The utility is running. We connect the flash drive. I have information about the flash drive in two lines in the program. We press the button Start. In my case, the yellow bar signaled the firmware process. We wait.
When the process ended, I saw green color, all is well.
Should appear immediately Windows message prompting you to format the drive. But the first time, it probably won't work. Unplug the flash drive and plug it back in. The driver should install and the removable drive should appear in File Explorer. You can format it.
I checked the write speed, everything is as it should be for USB 3.0, everything is fine!
You must be prepared for the fact that the actions may differ from those that I described. And not everything can work out the first time. The main thing is not to give up and everything will work out!
